LIBRA

I truly love this record, it is very emotional for me, and this is one of the few instances where with an RPI recording, I actually prefer the English sung album over the Italian version. (the other instance being RDM's "Contamination")

Not that there is anything wrong with the Musica e Parole debut (see my 5 star review), but this English sung version of the debut was the first Libra music I had and loved, finding a used lp copy in a store in Montreal in the early 1990s, so it has a special, sentimental place in my heart. Musician/singer/songwriter the late Federico D'Andrea does a superb job with the vocals here; he has somewhat of an accent, but that is never a detriment, and it adds to the charm and appeal of this record.

It is a neat thing to be able to understand what is being sung-my English being a lot better than my Italian. The tales D'Andrea sings about are both thoughtful and thought-provoking-in songs like Born Today and Beyond The Fence, for example, the listener is free to "read between the lines" with the almost philosophical take on things. I will not repeat my impressions of the music itself, as it is identical to what I previously reviewed in Libra's Musica e Parole record.

It must have been quite an experience for Libra to storm the portals of America and tour there in ernest promoting "Libra-Libra". This album is definitely a product of it's era, and it is like a time trip listening to it. Federico's vocal style is always passionate and embracing, and you can make out very easily what he is singing about. He doesn't scream or shreik like a lot of rock singers do, but has you captivated all the way through things without a need for that. I feel that this album, though overlooked as it is, should be essential listening for any 70s prog fan-5 stars.